Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/49



RESERVATION POLICY PACIFIC NORTHWEST 37

being necessary to carry its provisions into effect, and will be needed previous to the first of Sept. 1854.

In the estimate for holding treaties is included a sum be- lieved to be sufficient to pay the expenses of holding treaties for the extinguishing of Indian title to all the land west 6f the Cascade Range ; and their assent to remove to such points as may be selected for them, provided a selection be made west of said mountains ; it also includes an amount sufficient for presents and a first payment on account of purchase pro- vided the treaties be ratified, for which purpose twelve of fifteen thousand dollars may be applied; it also contemplates the purchase of teams and animals for the transportation of Indian goods to such points as may be necessary, as well as treating with such of the tribes East of the Cascade Mountains as may be deemed necessary for the preservation of peace, and give security to our citizens passing from the Eastern to the Western boundary of this Territory, and open the way for a continuous chain of settlements upon the routes usually traveled by our citizens.

The estimates given above are believed to be the lowest pos- sible adequate to accomplish the objects intended in the most economical manner. In the exploration of the interior a small military escort will be essential to the safety of the party, or the appropriation of an additional sum sufficient for the em- ployment of a suitable number of persons for protection.

I would respectfully suggest to the Department the propriety and importance of placing at the disposal of the Superintendent in this Territory in addition to the above estimates a sum of not less than ten thousand dollars designed as a contingent fund to meet any sudden emergency, like that in the Rogue River Country, which might occur. Also that the sum of one thou- sand dollars be placed at the disposal of each agent and half that sum in the hands of each Sub- Agent as a contingent fund for similar purposes. This amount on hand to meet emerg- encies, might when judiciously expended, be the means often of preventing a protracted and bloody indian war, and the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in military operations.

The system which requires Agents of the Government to expend their private funds in meeting the current expenses incident to the duties of their office, upon this Coast, and await the auditing of their accounts at Washington City previous to payment, subjects them to great inconvenience and materially lessens their influence as Agents. Some arrangement by which